Exercise bar for scapular retraction

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides an exercise bar for scapular retraction made from or containing a shaped length of pipe. The pipe can have end caps attached, thereby rendering the pipe substantially media tight. The amount and type of weighted, filling material disposed are selected based upon the desired weight and flexibility of the exercise bar.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present disclosure relates to the field of exercise equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an exercise bar useful for retracting scapula and aligning associated muscles, joints, and tendons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is believed that scapular retraction is an integral component of good trunk posture. If a person's scapular retractors are weak, the person's shoulders will have the tendency to hunch forward and add strain to the thoracic spine. The hunching and strain can be accompanied by pain in the neck or shoulders.

When the scapular retractors are strengthened and the posture is corrected, people can experience less hunching, less strain in their necks or shoulders, and less pain. These people can even improve their athletic performance.

The muscles involved in scapulor retraction include the rhomboid major, the rhomboid minor, and the trapezius. As a group, those muscles are considered the scapulor retractors.

Several exercises are designed to strengthen the scapular retractors and improve posture. Yet, if these exercises are not properly performed or supervised, the desired results may not be achieved.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general embodiments, the present disclosure provides an exercise bar for scapular retraction made from or containing a length (P) of pipe having

-   -   (a) an outer diameter (OD) in the range of about 13 mm to about         30 mm;     -   (b) an inner diameter (ID) in the range of about 5 mm to about         21 mm;     -   (c) the length (P) in the range of about 90 cm to about 155 cm,         whereby the length has a midpoint (A) and two distal ends (F and         G);     -   (d) a first bend (B) and a second bend (C), wherein both bends         -   (i) being equidistantly-located in the range from about 6 cm             to about 11.5 cm, from the midpoint (A), and         -   (ii) having a bend angle (B′ and C′, respectively) of about             135° to about 165°,             -   (A) directed in the same plane and to the same side of                 the pipe as the bend angle of the other bend, and             -   (B) being the same size as the other bend angle;     -   (e) a third bend (D)         -   (i) being located at a distance (D_(o)) in the range from             about 5 cm to about 10 cm from the first bend (B) and             distally from the midpoint (A), and         -   (ii) having a bend angle (D′) of about the same size as the             bend angle (B′) of the first bend (B), directed in the same             plane and to the opposite side of the pipe as first bend             angle (B′); and     -   (f) a fourth bend (E)         -   (i) being located at a distance (D_(o)) from the second             bend (C) and distally from the midpoint (A), and         -   (ii) having a bend angle (E′) of about the same size as the             bend angle (C′) of the second bend (C), directed in the same             plane and to the opposite side of the pipe as second bend             angle (C′).

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides the exercise bar wherein the pipe is made from or contains plastic. In some embodiments, the exercise bar is a plastic pipe.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides the exercise bar wherein the plastic pipe is selected from the group consisting of (a) Schedule-40 pipe, (b) Schedule-80 pipe, and (c) Schedule-120 pipe.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides the exercise bar wherein the plastic for the plastic pipe is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides the exercise bar further made from or containing

-   -   (g) two end caps, with each end cap attached to a distal end,         and     -   (h) a weighted, filling material located internally within the         pipe.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be apparent, certain embodiments, as disclosed herein, are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims as presented herein. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following FIGURES illustrate preferred embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. The claimed subject matter may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying FIGURES, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise bar for scapular retraction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter. However, this invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As such, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments can incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope. It is intended to include all the modifications and alterations in so far as the modifications and alterations come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

As used in this specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used in this specification and the claims, the terms “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” mean that at least the named compound, element, material, particle, or method step, etc., is present in the composition, the article, or the method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, elements, materials, particles, or method steps, etc., even if the other such compounds, elements, materials, particles, or method steps, etc., have the same function as that which is named, unless expressly excluded in the claims. It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps before or after the combined recited steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified.

Moreover, it is also to be understood that the lettering of process steps or ingredients is a means for identifying discrete activities or ingredients and the recited lettering can be arranged in any sequence, unless expressly indicated.

For the purpose of the present description and of the claims which follow, except where otherwise indicated, numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified by the term “about”. Also, ranges include any combination of the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Definitions

In the present description, the term “first” refers to the order in which a particular species is presented and does not necessarily indicate that a “second” species will be presented. For example, “first polymer composition” refers to the first of at least one polymer composition. The term does not reflect priority, importance, or significance in any other way. Similar terms used that can be used herein include “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc.

In the present description, the term “Schedule-40” refers to the wall size of a pipe and wherein the pipe achieves a certain pressure-rating for water, as specified in ASTM D1785. ASTM D1785 is entitled “Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40, 80, and 120.” The term “ASTM D1785” as used herein includes classification criteria, nomenclature system, test methods, requirements, workmanship, dimensions, sustained pressure, burst pressure, flattening, extrusion quality, finish, appearance, and marking methods for PVC plastic pipe. This test method was approved on Aug. 1, 2015 and published August 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

For the referenced ASTM standard, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org.

In the present description, the term “Schedule-80” refers to the wall size of a pipe and wherein the pipe achieves a certain pressure-rating for water, as specified in ASTM D1785.

In the present description, the term “Schedule-120” refers to the wall size of a pipe and wherein the pipe achieves a certain pressure-rating for water, as specified in ASTM D1785.

In general embodiments, the present disclosure provides an exercise bar for scapular retraction made from or containing a length (P) of pipe having

-   -   (a) an outer diameter (OD) in the range of about 13 mm to about         30 mm;     -   (b) an inner diameter (ID) in the range of about 5 mm to about         21 mm;     -   (c) the length (P) in the range of about 90 cm to about 155 cm,         whereby the length has a midpoint (A) and two distal ends (F and         G);     -   (d) a first bend (B) and a second bend (C), wherein both bends         -   (i) being equidistantly-located in the range from about 6 cm             to about 11.5 cm, from the midpoint (A), and         -   (ii) having a bend angle (B′ and C′, respectively) of about             135° to about 165°,             -   (A) directed in the same plane and to the same side of                 the pipe as the bend angle of the other bend, and             -   (B) being the same size as the other bend angle;     -   (e) a third bend (D)         -   (i) being located at a distance (D_(o)) in the range from             about 5 cm to about 10 cm from the first bend (B) and             distally from the midpoint (A), and         -   (ii) having a bend angle (D′) of about the same size as the             bend angle (B′) of the first bend (B), directed in the same             plane and to the opposite side of the pipe as first bend             angle (B′); and     -   (f) a fourth bend (E)         -   (i) being located at a distance (D_(o)) from the second             bend (C) and distally from the midpoint (A), and         -   (ii) having a bend angle (E′) of about the same size as the             bend angle (C′) of the second bend (C), directed in the same             plane and to the opposite side of the pipe as second bend             angle (C′).

In some embodiments, the length (P) is selected based upon the wing span, flexibility, and alignment requirements of the user. For example, a length (P) of 36 inches (91.44 cm) can be used with a child or a small adult. Alternatively, a length (P) of 48 inches (121.92 cm) can be used for an average-size adult. Alternatively, a length (P) of 60 inches (152.4 cm) can be used for a larger adult. In some embodiments, the length (P) is about 90 cm, 100 cm, 110 cm, 120 cm, 130 cm, 140 cm, 150 cm, 155 cm, or an intermediate length.

In some embodiments, the outer diameter (OD) is selected based upon the grip size of the user. In some embodiments, the outer diameter (OD) is about 19 mm.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides the exercise bar wherein the pipe is made from or contains plastic. In some embodiments, the exercise bar is a plastic pipe.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides the exercise bar wherein the plastic pipe is selected from the group consisting of (a) Schedule-40 pipe, (b) Schedule-80 pipe, and (c) Schedule-120 pipe. In some embodiments, the pipe is Schedule-80 pipe.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides the exercise bar wherein the plastic for the plastic pipe is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides the exercise bar wherein the pipe is a plastic, Schedule-80 pipe made from or consisting of plastic selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides the exercise bar further made from or containing

-   -   (g) two end caps, with each end cap attached to a distal end,         and     -   (h) a weighted, filling material located internally within the         pipe.

In some embodiments, the end caps are selected from the group consisting of (a) Schedule-40 end caps, (b) Schedule-80 end caps, and (c) Schedule-120 end caps. In some embodiments, the end caps are Schedule-40 end caps.

In some embodiments, the weighted, filling material is selected from the group consisting of fluids, gels, and solids.

In some embodiments, the weighted, filling material is a solid material such as sand, pellets, shot, or other materials. In some embodiments, the weighted, filling material is 7½ lead shot.

In some embodiments, the amount and type of weighted, filling material is selected based upon the desired weight and flexibility of the exercise bar.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exercise bar 10 according to an embodiment of this present disclosure. The exercise bar 10 includes a length (P) of an elongate hollow body 15 having end caps 17 and 18 disposed on opposing, distal ends thereof. The body 15 and the end caps 17, 18 form a substantially media tight material chamber 20 within the body 15. In some embodiments, the end caps 17, 18 can further include a sealing member such as an O-ring, a flat gasket, and the like, for example In the embodiment shown, at least one of the end caps 17, 18 is removably disposed on the body 15.

A weighted, filling material 25 such as a fluid, a granular material, or pellets, for example, is located internally within the body 15, that is, within the material chamber 20. The weighted, filling material 25 is added in an amount to achieve a selected total weight of the exercise bar 10.

To use the exercise bar 10, a user grasps the body 15 of the exercise bar 10 with two hands, with one hand proximally to end cap 17, in the region 2 between end cap 17 and bend D and the other hand proximally to end cap 18, in the region 4 between end cap 18 and bend E, then aligns the exercise bar 10 such that (1) the user's neck is located within the concave region 5 formed bends D, B, C, and E and (2) the bends B, C come to reside on the intersection of the user's scapulas and trapezius muscles, and then performs a selected exercise movement. The user attempts to maintain sufficient rotation of the exercise bar 10, pressure on the intersection of the scapula and trapezius muscles, and alignment along the length (P) with the user's arms, to achieve scapular retraction throughout the duration of the exercise.

It should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of the ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein can be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise bar for scapular retraction comprising: (I) a length (P) of pipe having (a) an outer diameter (OD) in the range of about 13 mm to about 30 mm; (b) an inner diameter (ID) in the range of about 5 mm to about 21 mm; (c) the length (P) in the range of about 90 cm to about 155 cm, whereby the length has a midpoint (A) and two distal ends (F and G); (d) a first bend (B) and a second bend (C), wherein both bends (i) being equidistantly-located in the range from about 6 cm to about 11.5 cm, from the midpoint (A), and (ii) having a bend angle (B′ and C′, respectively) of about 135° to about 165°, (A) directed in the same plane and to the same side of the pipe as the bend angle of the other bend, and (B) being the same size as the other bend angle; (e) a third bend (D) (i) being located at a distance (D_(o)) in the range from about 5 cm to about 10 cm from the first bend (B) and distally from the midpoint (A), and (ii) having a bend angle (D′) of about the same size as the bend angle (B′) of the first bend (B), directed in the same plane and to the opposite side of the pipe as first bend angle (B′); and (f) a fourth bend (E) (i) being located at a distance (D_(o)) from the second bend (C) and distally from the midpoint (A), and (ii) having a bend angle (E′) of about the same size as the bend angle (C′) of the second bend (C), directed in the same plane and to the opposite side of the pipe as second bend angle (C′).
 2. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein the length (P) is about 90 cm, 100 cm, 110 cm, 120 cm, 130 cm, 140 cm, 150 cm, 155 cm, or an intermediate length.
 3. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein the pipe is a plastic pipe.
 4. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein the pipe is selected from the group consisting of (a) Schedule-40 pipe, (b) Schedule-80 pipe, and (c) Schedule-120 pipe.
 5. The exercise bar of claim 4, wherein the pipe is Schedule-80 pipe.
 6. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein the plastic for the plastic pipe is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.
 7. The exercise bar of claim 1, wherein the pipe is a plastic, Schedule-80 pipe comprising plastic selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.
 8. The exercise bar of claim 1, further comprising: (g) two end caps, with each end cap attached to a distal end, and (h) a weighted, filling material located internally within the pipe.
 9. The exercise bar of claim 8, wherein the weighted, filling material is selected from the group consisting of fluids, gels, and solids.
 10. The exercise bar of claim 9, wherein the weighted, filling material is lead shot. 